CQC Report into Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
I was very disappointed to hear the unwelcome news that the NSFT has been rated as ‘inadequate’ following a recent CQC inspection. Poor mental health provision in Norfolk is a real concern to me, which is why I met with the new CEO, Stuart Richardson, following his appointment to discuss the plans to turn the service around.
The trust is in no doubt of the scale of the challenge. The pandemic has significantly affected the mental health of many adults and young people. In particular, many teachers have reported to me during school visits increased levels of anxiety in students and the need for school counselling.
CQC reports are helpful. It lays bare where the problems lie, and provides the benchmark against which the new Chief Executive and his team can be measured. Despite the many areas needing improvement, I am glad that the CQC also recognised that the trust is a caring organisation, and rated the quality of care provided by staff as ‘good’. Whilst I am reassured that the front-line care has been rated good, if the support systems are not in place, then those clinicians will not have the tools to do their jobs properly.
